Conservatives have strengthened their grip on Hertsmere with a comfortable majority.

The party won 37 seats in this election – an improvement on their previous majority of 34.

On a day that national leader Ed Miliband stepped down, the Labour group lost three of their five seats, leaving just two councillors in Cowley Hill.

Hertsmere Borough Council changed its constitution last year, meaning all seats were contested today, even though it used to elect a third of its representatives at a time.

Hundreds of people flocked to Allum Hall, in Elstree, to hear the results and support their parties and the candidates.

The biggest shock of the day saw Labour leader Ann Harrison, who has held the role for 12 years, lose out to newcomer, Conservative David Burcombe.

There was just 23 votes between Ms Harrison and Cllr Burcombe, who emerged victorious as Cowley Hill’s first ever Tory representative.

Ms Harrison said: “A lot of people didn’t realise they had to vote three times which was undemocratic, it left a lot of people confused. I think that’s why I lost.

“I am obviously gutted. I didn’t expect that result this morning at all. I will miss standing on the Film Studios Board the most.

“I’d also like to remind people that Labour bought the film studios when they were in power.

“I’m also a governor at Hertswood Academy so I’ll continue doing that – but first I am going on a cruise next week.”

Ms Harrison's role as leader is likely to be taken up by Cllr Richard Butler, who was re-elected in Cowley Hill. Cllr Butler missed out on becoming Hertsmere’s next MP last night to Conservative Oliver Dowden.

Cllr Butler said: “I am grateful to be back but I am really sorry to have lost Ann. It’s a real shame. She has been a fantastic leader for 12 years.

“I am confident we can regain that seat.”

Labour's Michelle Vince also retained her seat in Cowley Hill.

Michelle Vince with Ann Harrison and Richard Butler, below

Borehamwood Times:

Speaking about his win, Cllr David Burcombe said: “I am elated, I knew I’d win though. They told me I would win. I do a lot in the community. We did a lot of canvassing, people like me – they call me Mr Tried and Trusted.”

David Burcombe, below

Borehamwood Times:

Borehamwood Kenilworth had previously been a Labour seat – but John Galliers lost his seat to Conservatives Thomas Ash and Victor Eni.

Mr Eni became the first black councillor in Hertsmere after he was elected at the third attempt. 

Victor Eni, below

Borehamwood Times:

Conservative Cynthia Barker, the town’s first ever Filipino councillor, won in Potters Bar Furzefield. She said: “I am really humbled to have been selected by the residents. I never imagined I would be standing here.

“I am looking forward to the challenges and working with residents. The atmosphere has been tense but buzzing here all day.”

Councillor Rosemary Gilligan, who was deselected by the Conservative group last month despite being voted in for a four-year term last year, gained just 663 votes.

Yesterday, she told the Borehamwood Times that she was “sceptical” about winning because there had been a greater turnout due to the General Election, meaning people would vote for the party rather than the candidate.

She missed out to Conservative Anthony Spencer, who received 1,710 votes and left immediately after the results were announced.

In Potters Bar, Rob Calcutt, who also stood as an Independent after being deselected by the Tories, missed out on staying on as a councillor with 506 votes.

Potters Bar went to Conservatives Ruth Lyon, Jean Heywood and Penny Swallow.

In Bushey North, Leslie Winters, who had also been deselected by the Conservatives but ran as an Independent, lost.

Hertsmere Council leader Councillor Morris Bright kept his seat in Elstree with 1,893 votes. He said: "I was elected for the first time 16 years ago and I am personally delighted that the people of Elstree have voted for us. It is not a fluke.

“We have worked very hard to get our message across and that is we always put our residents first."

Leader Cllr Morris Bright with Cllr Harvey Cohen, who also retained his seat, below

Borehamwood Times:

On Borehamwood Town Council, Clive Butchins, Pat Strack and Sandra Parnell kept their seats in the Hillside Ward.

Cllr Parnell said: “I'm delighted to have been voted back in, to carry on our good work that I've been doing for the past 13 years.

"I don't feel I've let anyone down, and I won't in the future. I'd like to thank people for voting for me. I'm always at the end of the phone."

Cllr Parnell was also deselected from her borough seat by the Conservatives.